On Tuesday, The Madras High court stayed an order passed by a single-judge bench which had dismissed actor Vijay’s petition seeking the exemption of entry tax on his Rollys Royce Ghost which was imported from England. The single-judge bench slammed the actor and ordered him to pay the tax amount with a fine of Rs. 1 lakh. Appealing against the order which contained “harsh” criticisms, Vijay moved to high court again.

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A bench comprising justices M. Duraiswamy and R. Hemalatha stayed the previous order passed by the single judge bench on 27th of July. Counsel of the actor submitted that the previous order contained “adverse remarks which created negative publicity” for the actor. The bench also stayed the Rs. 1 Lakh fine and asked the actor to pay the entire tax amount.

#BREAKING | நடிகர் விஜய் கார் வழக்கு – நீதிமன்றத்தில் காரசார வாதம்!#SunNews | #ActorVijay | @actorvijay pic.twitter.com/i4njdGWrKZ

— Sun News (@sunnewstamil) July 27, 2021

The court which has directed the tax department to issue a demand challan, asked the actor to pay the balance of the entry tax within a week’s time. Vijay moved to high court after feeling that the criticisms that were made against him were not necessary. His counsel moved the High court again, not against the tax but against the remarks made on him.

“Learned judge has cast aspersions on Vijay by labelling him as an anti-national and has cast aspersions on the whole acting community,” counsel of actor Vijay argued in court on Tuesday. “Out of 500 other similar petitions involving luxury cars, some even costlier, the case of Vijay cannot be picked out alone. Remarks need to be expunged. Costs were not awarded on any other cases” he further said.

#BREAKING | விஜய் மீதான அபராதத்துக்கு இடைக்கால தடை!#SunNews | #ActorVijay | @actorvijay pic.twitter.com/zqLglh0EjW

— Sun News (@sunnewstamil) July 27, 2021

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“Actor Vijay is ready to pay the tax; every citizen is entitled to avail legal remedies to challenge the imposition of tax; to make derogatory remarks against a petitioner for availing a legal remedy is unjust” he further said and added “The same judge has dealt with other cases involving luxury cars with one-page orders, but in case of Vijay he passed remarks,” Vijay’s lawyer Vijay Narayan said.

Judicial discipline and restrain necessary for effective administration of justice – senior counsel Vijay Narayan submits referring to a Supreme Court precedent.#MadrasHighCourt #Vijay

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) July 27, 2021

'The adverse remarks created a negative publicity. This can be hurtful to any person' : Vijay Narayan.#MadrasHighCourt #Vijay @actorvijay

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) July 27, 2021

Judge Subramaniam of Madras high court imposed Rs. 1 lakh fine for actor Vijay who sought tax exemption on a luxurious car that got imported from England. He was asked to pay entry tax by the Assistant Commissioner of Business Taxation. Followed by that, Vijay filed a petition in Madras high court in the year 2012, seeking exemption for the entry tax.

Out of 500 other similar petitions involving luxury cars, some even costlier, the case of Vijay cannot be picked out alone. Remarks need to be expunged. Costs were not awarded on any other cases : senior counsel.#MadrasHighCourt #Vijay

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) July 27, 2021

In the petition, Vijay mentioned that the car couldn’t be used as the Regional Transportation Office (RTO) was not approving it for registration due to the failure of tax payment. During the hearing of the case, Judge Subramanian questioned why the petitioner didn’t mention his occupation in the petition to the lawyer of Vijay, says reports. When he was informed that he was an actor by profession, the judge, reportedly said “Renowned actors like him should pay taxes properly” to the lawyer.

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“Tax income is the backbone of our country’s economy. Taxes must be paid and it is not a donation and it could not be waived off” the judge further said, according to reports. “People’s tax money is being used for the infrastructure of the country such as schools and hospitals. Tamil actors who has potential to become Chief minister of the state, should be an inspiration and act as a hero in real life as well.” Judge schooled.

Judge also condemned the act of Vijay by saying that actors who portray themselves as a socially responsible ones through their movies, shouldn’t involve in evading tax. It couldn’t be accepted, the Judge said who ordered Vijay to pay appropriate tax for the car he imported within two weeks of time. He also slapped Rs. 1 Lakh fine for the actor and directed him to pay the amount to Chief minister’s COVID 19 relief fund within two weeks.

Vijay's counsel requests the bench to direct the tax department to issue the demand challan within a week. "I don't want the issue to be hanging", the counsel says.

Bench directs the dept to issue the challan within a week to Vijay.#MadrasHighCourt #Vijay @actorvijay

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) July 27, 2021